I was browsing the Crutchfield car audio site for reference uses (they are overpriced obviously) and I came across some XTC Speaker Baffles. Here is a link to them: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-bmry80XVvzn/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?g=762&avf=N

Now, after reading the reviews from the customers, it seems they say or describe it as if the 'foam' enclosure is 'sucking' the sound/vocals, thus making them sound muffled and such.

Well, I was thinking, what if I fiberglassed the inside or outside of it, creating a more dense, but sturdy enclosure around the speaker. I guess my question is, will it be ok, with the cubic feet (less than a foot) and no port. I know the lows will sound better, but I just need to know if it will give the speakers an all-around better sound and performance, not to mention protection (such as dirt, water, etc).

What do you guys think, and if its a go, Im going to try a part of this sometime next week or 2 weeks after I buy some 'template' speaker baffles from them.

Opinions/thoughts?

Thanks.

saywhat?

10-24-2006, 07:10 AM

im no professional mind you, but i wouldnt use em.

chartman18

10-24-2006, 07:14 AM

I understand you wouldnt use the speaker baffles itself, but I mean if I fiberglassed the baffles, and use the fiberglass as an enclosure, kind of like a regular box/fiberglass enclosure made for 6x9 speakers and such. Wouldnt this (fiberglass) improve the sound and bass? Something tells me it will.

More thoughts?

ramos

10-24-2006, 07:25 AM

I wold say since most mids are meant for IB use , you would get crappy mid and nothing remotely close to mid bass response in such a small enclosure. You would be better served by proper door deadening :)

chartman18

10-24-2006, 07:30 AM

I wold say since most mids are meant for IB use , you would get crappy mid and nothing remotely close to mid bass response in such a small enclosure. You would be better served by proper door deadening :)

Hey, thanks for the input. I guess the idea wouldnt really work then. Just trying to think of new things to do. I already sound-deadened (Xtreme Dynamat, torch, properly installed) my whole car, I was just trying to make more of whatever I can, lol. Some reason, the rear speakers, I just dont like seeing them visible from the trunk area when I lean down to look, so Im trying to think of way to conceal that without a use for wood or whatnot.

Thanks alot for the help and opinions guys. :-)

PS: Whats 'IB'?

acold7dusta

10-24-2006, 07:48 AM

infinite baffle, such as using trunk or door space as an "enclosure"

chartman18

10-24-2006, 07:56 AM

Oh I see, so basically my speakers already have an 'enclosure' since its all sound-deadened and such? So the subwoofers and such are the only audio components that truly need a enclosure/box because it cant use 'infinity baffle' correct to get the bass effect, correct? Am I catching on, lol.

ramos

10-24-2006, 08:13 AM

Technically IB is a form of enclosure , just a very large one. Some components work well in enclosures . It really depends on the speakers itself . If you got subs in the trunk and it's sealed , and speakers in the rear deck. Odds are the rear deck speakers won't last long with the abuse the subs are gonna put them through . The air is gonna find the path of least resistance to escape :)

dkguitarist

10-24-2006, 08:19 AM

Technically IB is a form of enclosure , just a very large one. Some components work well in enclosures . It really depends on the speakers itself . If you got subs in the trunk and it's sealed , and speakers in the rear deck. Odds are the rear deck speakers won't last long with the abuse the subs are gonna put them through . The air is gonna find the path of least resistance to escape :)

i already found that out with my stock 6x9's. they sound like the surround is shredded and make a "buzzing" sound on any heavy bass but they still work.

chartman18

10-24-2006, 08:25 AM

Wow, thats something I'd never think of in the audio department. But wouldnt my seats being down help the 'air/sound' escape my trunk with my subs facing towards the cabin. I have the seats down always whenever theres no 3rd or 4th passenger inside, and for show. Does this mean my speakers shouldnt be too abused at all. I understand the abuse part, but say I did have my rear seats up, and included the XTC foam baffle, would that help protect the speaker itself from being abused by the subwoofers?

(This is a very interesting discussion and learning tip for me. :-D )

ramos

10-24-2006, 08:35 AM

If your seats are down , you should be fine . I doubt foam baffles would help . :)

chartman18

10-24-2006, 08:37 AM

Haha, alright. Good thing the seats are down. So no to foam baffles? Alright, thanks for all the help guys. You all are great! :-)

dbornotdb

10-25-2006, 08:43 AM

The speaker baffles I use are plastic, not foam.
I only really use them in door builds where an 8 was used in conjuction with mids.
Since the 8 was using the airspace built into the door, the mid had to be seperated so it wouldn't explode like dude said his 6x9's did.

chartman18

10-25-2006, 10:29 PM

How do they sound in a plastic enclosure with a 8" sub next to it in the doors?

dbornotdb

10-26-2006, 09:44 AM

How do they sound in a plastic enclosure with a 8" sub next to it in the doors?

How did you manage to put a 8" subwoofer in, while keeping it sounding clear/good if the cu.ft. inside that door isnt much? And would the difference be alot if it was fiberglass enclosure around a sub in the door than it would a plastic enclosure?